EDUCATION

PhD in Leadership, University of Calgary
MEd in Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Calgary
BA in International Relations, University of Calgary
Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Mediation, Justice Institute of British Columbia
Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Negotiation, Justice Institute of British Columbia
Certificate in Marketing Management, University of Calgary

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Leda Stawnychko is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Organizational Theory at Mount Royal University’s Bissett School of Business. She also holds adjunct academic appointments at the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business and the Cumming School of Medicine.

With deep roots in Monterrey—Mexico’s industrial capital renowned for its majestic mountains—and over two decades of leadership experience across international public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Dr. Stawnychko is dedicated to cultivating effective, adaptive, and transformative leaders.

TEACHING EXPERTISE

Leadership Development
Ethical Leadership
Healthcare Leadership
Change Management
Conflict Management and Negotiations
Business Communications
Organizational Behaviour
Management Principles and Practices

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

Dr. Stawnychko holds professional designations as a mediator and serves as the Mediator for the Mount Royal Faculty Association. She has held board positions with the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute and the Institute of Public Administration. Her commitment to uplifting immigrant women and strengthening community is reflected in her role as a career mentor to graduates of the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council.

At Mount Royal University, she plays an active role in institutional governance, serving on the General Faculties Council, its Executive Committee, and as Chair of the Academic Planning and Budget Committee. She is also the architect and intellectual lead of MRULeads, a faculty leadership program grounded in her extensive experience and empirical research, offered through the Office of the Provost.

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

• Stawnychko, L., †Rafi, M. & Eaton, S. (2025). Exploring the impact of workplace incivility on psychological safety and leadership succession in higher education. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1-23.
• Stawnychko, L. (2025). Transformative pathways: Nurturing leadership through reflective undergraduate education. Imagining SoTL, 5(1), 10-26.
• Stawnychko, L. (2025).  Leadership training for department chairs: Integrating formal training, experiential learning, and mentorship. Journal of Leadership Studies, 18(4), 6-17.
• Stawnychko, L. (2024). The strategic role of social networks in academic leadership development. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 54(1), 42-54.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

• Stawnychko, L. & †Ferguson, W. (2025, June 29). Gen Z is struggling to find work: Here’s what’s driving the struggle and how to move forward. The Conversation Canada.
• Stawnychko, L. (2025). Book review: Radical respect: How to work together better, by K. Scott. The Department Chair, 35(4), 32. https://doi.org/10.1002/dch.30647
• Stawnychko, L., & †Choudhary, A. (2025, February 20). How to handle difficult conversations in your early career, from salary negotiation to solving conflict. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L. (2024, October 29). Why Gen Z is saying ‘no’ to middle management — and why you might want to reconsider. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L., & Wang, T. (2024, September 25). “No man is an island” …except for department chairs. The Department Chair, 35(2), 22-23. https://doi.org/10.1002/dch.30609
• Stawnychko, L., & †Oguike, M. (2024, September 25). Struggling to make decisions at work? Learn how to build confidence. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Rafi, M. (2024, August 11). Giving feedback can be daunting for new leaders — here’s how to provide it thoughtfully. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L., & †Tsou, E. (2024, June 22). Imperfect progress: The Chair's role in navigating conflicts. The Department Chair, 35(1), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1002/dch.30585
• Stawnychko, L., & †Tsou, E. (2024, June 10). Ready for the next step in your career? Here’s how to prepare for your first leadership position. The Conversation Canada. 
• Stawnychko, L. (2023, September). Final report: Factors influencing leaders in academia series: Workplace incivility at Canadian business schools in the post-pandemic society. Business Schools Association of Canada.

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† Student contributor at the time of authorship.